Atlas 825, 833, 844

Review Date
June 6, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: hefeweizen(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Portland, OR.

Price Paid:  $175.00 at REI-Outdoor store

Summary:
Weighing in at 150# + 30-40# pack and the fact that I'm shoeing in the Oregon & Washington Cascades, where the snow is heavy and sometimes wet, I find that my Atlas 825's are the right choice for me. If I were shoeing out east where the snow is light and dry I would invest in the Atlas 833's. If your shoes sink more than 6-8 inches it means either your shoes are to short to carry your weight + pack, or the snow is dry and light which in this case you Don't lift your feet, you shuffle. Sometimes I will shoe for miles and never see my snowshoes. The Atlas 825's are short giving me better maneuverability. They have the best connection system on the market. The only thing negative to say about the 800 series is that when in wet snow the rounded back frame tends to scoop and throw wet snow at the backs of my legs and boots. For this reason I have also purchased a pair of Atlas 1225's. These shoes have a pointed back frame that drags lightly instead of scoops. Both shoes have great traction design able to hold at any angle, slope or terrain. The Atlas 1225's have a new type of ratcheting binding system that works well even with mittens on.

Customer Service:
After using my Atlas 825's about 15 times an aluminum rivet fell out. Atlas has a lifetime guarantee and replaced the whole pair of shoes. All I asked for was a new rivet. I Didn't complain.

Similar Products Used:
Shurpa (Liked the frame and deck but not the connection system. to many straps to get tangled. Remember, sometimes when shoeing you must take your shoes off and on often.)

Review Date
April 28, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Konrad(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Portland, OR

Price Paid:  $82.00 at Snow Leopard

Summary:
Okay, after reading all the reviews here, I found the 825s on clearance for half price, so I went ahead and bought them. I made it about a mile over wet reasonably consolidated snow before I sank into an 18 inch hole. The frame broke cleanly along the toe strap rivet and the toe bent all the way over until it was touching my boot. I was, as you can imagine, disappointed. Using a little brute strength, I managed to bend the toe down (should a non-strongman be able to bend snowshoe aluminum?), but the broken frame left me post-holing all the way home. I'm glad I tried them out on moderate hike, before I took them out backpacking.

If these things aren't stable enough for a moderate hike, why are they are part of the "hiker" series? Of course, it is possible I got a defective pair, but the ease with which I bent the toe back into place, makes me concerned.

Sorry everybody, I really was hoping to like them.

Customer Service:
Haven't called yet. Still warming my toes.

Similar Products Used:
Atlas "Recreational" series.

Review Date
April 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Corey Larrabee(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Cedar City, Utah

Summary:
I have the 833 and I really like them I had a pair of Tubbs that I didn't like very much.
The binding on the Atlas is awesome extremely durable. The Atlas is a little wide and heavy but other than that I love em.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 23, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Patrick McLaughlin(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Hudson, NH USA

Summary:
I purchased the 833s and haven't had any problems with them. They are slightly narrower than a similar pair of Tubbs I had borrowed for a trip and therefore were much easier to walk in. I also found the binding system on the Atlas snowshoes to be better at securing the whole boot, and can easily be adjusted with mittens on. The binding doesn't have the same range as the Tubbs, but I think that helps on steeper sections where you may want to pick up the whole snowshoe and not drag the tail. I've also seen Tubbs snowshoes come apart, whereas the Atlas snowshoes have one welded aluminum tube.

Similar Products Used:
Tubbs

Review Date
February 8, 2000

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Eric Holsinger(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Portland, Maine, USA

Summary:
I tried these in the White Mountains of New Hampshire while on vacation. The Shoe itself seems very sturday and of good quality, however the heel strap on the binding kept slipping off of both of my feet. I have tried Tubbs shoes with the same boots and have not had the same problem. The shoe itself is designed for more of a casual user and not for any vigorous hill climbing.